JP2017108360A - External apparatus, apparatus, information processing system, information processing program, apparatus cooperation method, external apparatus cooperation method, and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable MFP settings to be more simply and quickly changed.SOLUTION: An external apparatus performs change processing for setting information obtained from an MFP 1, by using a PC application 36 of a PC 2. The setting information for which change processing has been performed is transmitted to one or a plurality of MFP 1. This enables MFP 1 settings to be remotely changed without requiring a user to move to the installation positions of MFPs 1 to operate the MFPs 1. Therefore, the work time required for setting change of the MFPs 1 can be further shortened. In addition, also for the plurality of MFPs 1, changed setting information is transmitted from the PC 2 at a time, thereby enabling the settings of the plurality of MFPs 1 to be changed at a time. Thus, setting change of the plurality of MFPs 1 can be more easily and quickly performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an external device, a device, an information processing system, an information processing program, a device cooperation method, an external device cooperation method, and an information processing method.

  In recent years, multifunction peripherals (MFPs) that combine functions such as a copy function and a print function have many functions such as a toner remaining amount display function. However, there are few users who use all the functions of the MFP, and the MFP tends to have excessive functions. For this reason, an MFP manufacturer, a sales company, or a third vendor may develop an application having a simplified function in the MFP or an application specialized for a specific application and install the application in the MFP.

  In addition, applications provided corresponding to the functions of the MFP are complicated and enormous. The device manager or user selects a desired function or application and changes the setting.

  However, it is necessary to manually change the setting of the MFP, which requires time and labor. Further, when the setting change operation is performed on a plurality of MFPs, it is necessary to perform the setting change work one by one even for the same setting change contents.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an external device, a device, an information processing system, an information processing program, a device cooperation method, and an external device cooperation that can change settings more efficiently. It is an object to provide a method and an information processing method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an acquisition unit that acquires setting information for controlling the operation of the device, a change unit that generates change information obtained by changing the acquired setting information, And a setting unit for setting change information in the device.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that setting change or the like can be performed more efficiently.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the MFP. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the personal computer device. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the PC application. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the MFP application. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow in which the PC application installs the executable file of the MFP application that the PC application has as its own file in the MFP. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of an MFP setting change operation.

  Hereinafter, an information processing system according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an information processing system includes a plurality (or one) MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 1 and one (or a plurality) personal computer device (PC) 2. have. The MFP 1 and the PC 2 are connected to each other via a network such as the Internet.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the MFP 1. The MFP 1 includes a main body 10 having various functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and a printer function, and an operation unit 20 that receives an input in accordance with a user operation.

  The main body 10 and the operation unit 20 are connected via a dedicated communication path 30 so that they can communicate with each other. The communication path 30 may be, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, but may be of any standard regardless of wired or wireless. The main body 10 may have one function or a plurality of functions among image generation functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and a printer function.

  As the operation unit 20, an electronic device capable of executing complete information processing independently can be used. As an example, an information processing terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal can be used as the operation unit 20. In this case, the information processing terminal used as the operation unit 20 functions as the operation unit of the MFP 1.

  More specifically, an information processing terminal used as the operation unit 20 is connected to the MFP 1 so that it can be attached and detached instead of an operation panel that has been conventionally fixed and installed as an operation unit dedicated to the MFP 1. That is, the information processing terminal used as the operation unit 20 is installed integrally with the MFP 1 while being detachable (separable) at a predetermined position such as a position where the operation panel of the MFP 1 is disposed. Accordingly, the information processing terminal and the MFP 1 used as the operation unit 20 may be grasped as a single device. When the information processing terminal that is the operation unit 20 is removed from the MFP 1, the information processing terminal performs wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or infrared communication with the MFP 1 and functions as an operation unit of the MFP 1.

  The main body 10 performs an operation according to the input received by the operation unit 20. The main body 10 can also communicate with an external device such as a client PC (personal computer), and performs an operation according to an instruction received from the external device.

(Hardware configuration of the main unit)
Next, the hardware configuration of the main body 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 10 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, and an HDD (hard disk drive) 14. The main body 10 includes a communication I / F (interface) 15, a connection I / F 16, an engine 17, and a facsimile modem (FAX modem) 19. The units 11 to 17 and the FAX modem 19 are connected to each other via a system bus 18.

  The CPU 11 comprehensively controls the operation of the main body 10. The CPU 11 controls the overall operation of the main body 10 by executing a program stored in the ROM 12 or the HDD 14 or the like using the RAM 13 as a work area (work area), and the above-described copy function, scanner function, facsimile function, printer function, etc. Implement various functions.

  The HDD 14 is an example of a setting storage unit, and stores setting information of the MFP 1. This setting information can be changed or modified by the PC 2. The concept of the setting information is a concept including an icon image of an application, a home screen, etc. in addition to a setting value of a predetermined function.

  The communication I / F 15 is an interface for communication connection with the PC 2 via the network 40. The connection I / F 16 is an interface for communicating with the operation unit 20 via the communication path 30. In FIG. 2, the communication path 30 is illustrated in a wired manner, but the operation unit 20 can be attached to and detached from the main body 10 of the MFP 1 as described above. Therefore, when the operation unit 20 is attached to the MFP 1, the communication path 30 functions as a wired communication path, and when the operation unit 20 is detached from the MFP 1, the communication path 30 functions as a wireless communication path.

  The engine 17 is hardware that performs general-purpose information processing and processing other than communication for realizing a copy function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and the like. The engine 17 includes, for example, a scanner that scans and reads an image of a document, a plotter that performs printing on a sheet material such as paper, and a facsimile communication unit that performs facsimile communication. Furthermore, a specific option such as a finisher for sorting printed sheet materials and an automatic document feeder (ADF) for automatically feeding a document can be provided.

(Hardware configuration of operation unit)
Next, the hardware configuration of the operation unit 20 will be described. 2, the operation unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a flash memory 24, a communication I / F 25, a connection I / F 26, an operation panel 27, and an IC card I / F 29. These are connected to each other via a system bus 28.

  The CPU 21 comprehensively controls the operation of the operation unit 20. The CPU 21 controls the operation of the entire operation unit 20 by executing a program stored in the ROM 22 or the like using the RAM 23 as a work area (work area). The communication I / F 25 is an interface for communicating with the server device 60 on the network 40, for example. The connection I / F 26 is an interface for communicating with the main body 10 via the communication path 30.

  The IC card I / F 29 is connected to a card reader via a USB cable or the like, for example. The card reader performs non-contact wireless communication with an IC card that has been subjected to a proximity operation (non-contact operation) by a user at the time of a login operation to the MFP 1, such as a card ID, user information, and the like stored in the IC card. Read authentication information. In addition to the non-contact operation, the authentication information may be read from the IC card by a contact operation. Further, a card reader may be built in the operation unit 20. That is, the operation unit 20 and the card reader may be integrally formed (may be formed as one device).

  The flash memory 24 stores an MFP application 35 that is a setting change application program installed by the PC 2. In this example, the MFP application 35 is stored in the flash memory 24, but may be stored in another storage unit such as the ROM 22 or the RAM 23. For example, the MFP application 35 has a function of automatically notifying counter information to a designated user, and a function of displaying counter information on the operation panel 27 (an example of a display unit) of the MFP 1 by a user operation. doing. When the counter information is automatically notified, setting information such as a transmission destination, a transmission time, a transmission timing, and the presence / absence of a retry when transmission fails is set. Specifically, for example, the e-mail address or URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is set as the transmission destination together with the subject. As the transmission timing, for example, a transmission time such as date, week, or month is set. The CPU 21 operates according to the MFP application 35 to change the setting information stored in the HDD 14 to a setting value designated by the user (change information).

  The operation panel 27 includes a liquid crystal display device (LCD) provided with a touch sensor. The operation panel 27 receives various types of input in accordance with user operations, and displays various types of information such as information in accordance with the received input, information indicating the operation status of the MFP 1, information indicating a setting state, and the like. The operation panel 27 may be composed of an organic EL display device provided with a touch sensor. Further, in addition to or instead of this, an operation unit such as a hardware key or a display unit such as a light emitting unit may be provided.

  In the example of the embodiment, the OS (Operating System) on the main body 10 side and the OS on the operation unit 20 side are different from each other in order to maintain the independence of functions. That is, the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 operate independently of each other with different operating systems. For example, it is also possible to use Linux (registered trademark) as the OS on the main body 10 side and Android (registered trademark) as the OS on the operation unit 20 side.

  By operating the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 with different operating systems, communication between the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 is performed as communication between different devices, not communication between processes in a common device. . The operation (command communication) for transmitting the input (instruction content from the user) received by the operation unit 20 to the main body 10 and the operation for the main body 10 notifying the operation unit 20 of an event correspond to this. Here, the function of the main body 10 can be used when the operation unit 20 performs command communication with the main body 10. Further, the event notified from the main body 10 to the operation unit 20 includes the execution status of the operation in the main body 10 and the contents set on the main body 10 side.

  In the example of the embodiment, since the power supply to the operation unit 20 is performed from the main body 10 via the communication path 30, the power control of the operation unit 20 is performed separately from the power control of the main body 10 ( Can be done independently).

  In this example, the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 are electrically and physically connected via the communication path 30, but the operation unit 20 can be detached from the main body 10 as described above. In this case, the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 are provided with a short-range wireless communication unit such as an infrared communication unit, an RF communication unit, or a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit. RF is an abbreviation for “Radio Frequency”. Alternatively, the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 are provided with a wireless LAN communication function such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and communicate with each other via the wireless LAN access point (wireless LANAP) 41 and the network 40 as shown in FIG. It may be possible. LAN is an abbreviation for “Local Area Network”. When the operation unit 20 can be removed from the main body 10, the operation unit 20 stores the power supplied from the main body 10 via the communication path 30 in the secondary battery, and when the operation unit 20 is removed from the main body 10, It operates with the power stored in the secondary battery and communicates with the main body 10.

  Next, FIG. 3 shows a hardware configuration diagram of the PC 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the PC 2 includes a CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, HDD 54, input / output I / F 55, and communication I / F 56. The HDD 54 is an example of a storage unit, and stores a PC application 36 for changing settings of the MFP 1. The PC application 36 includes an executable file of the MFP application 35 to be installed in the MFP 1 as a file. The CPU 51 operates based on the PC application 36 to change the setting information acquired and displayed from the MFP 1 and reflect the setting information on the MFP 1.

  FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram of each function realized by the CPU 51 executing the PC application 36. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the CPU 51 executes the PC application 36 to thereby display a display control unit 61 (an example of a change unit), an installation control unit 62, an acquisition unit 63, a setting unit 64, and a communication control unit 65. Each function is realized by software. In this example, the display control unit 61 to the communication control unit 65 are realized by software. However, a part or all of the display control unit 61 to the communication control unit 65 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) or the like. It may be realized by hardware.

  Further, as the CPU 11, CPU 21, and CPU 51 described in this specification, a processor programmed to execute each function by software, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) designed to execute each function, IC ( Integrated circuit) or hardware such as a circuit module.

  The PC application 36 may be provided as a file in an installable or executable format recorded on a recording medium readable by a computer device such as a CD-ROM or a flexible disk (FD). Further, the program may be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark), or a semiconductor memory. The PC application 36 may be provided by being installed via a network such as the Internet. The PC application 36 may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like in the device.

  The display control unit 61 displays the setting information acquired from the MFP 1 on a display unit such as a monitor device. The installation control unit 62 installs an execution file in the MFP 1 in the MFP application 35 provided as a file in the PC application 36. The acquisition unit 63 acquires setting information from the MFP 1. The setting unit 64 changes setting information. The communication control unit 65 performs communication control of setting information acquired from the MFP 1, communication control of changed setting information reflected in the MFP 1, and the like.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of each function realized by the CPU 21 executing the MFP application 35 installed in the operation unit 20 of the MFP 1 by the PC 2. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the CPU 21 functions as a widget setting unit 71, a banner setting unit 72, an information setting unit 73, a transmission control unit 74, and a setting change unit 75 by executing the MFP application 35. The widget setting unit 71 to the setting change unit 75 may be partially or entirely realized by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit). The setting change unit 75 is an example of a change information acquisition unit. The widget setting unit 71, the banner setting unit 72, the information setting unit 73, and the setting change unit 75 are examples of a setting change unit.

  The MFP application 35 may be provided as a file in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a flexible disk (FD). Further, the program may be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark), or a semiconductor memory. The MFP application 35 may be provided by being installed via a network such as the Internet. Further, the MFP application 35 may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like in the device.

  The widget setting unit 71 controls writing and setting of setting information for displaying a message on the widget displayed on the operation panel 27 to the HDD 14. The banner setting unit 72 controls writing and reading of setting information for displaying a message as a banner on the operation panel 27 to the HDD 14. The information setting unit 73 controls writing and setting of setting information for displaying a message (dealer information) from the administrator of the MFP 1 on the operation panel 27 and reading control.

  The transmission control unit 74 controls transmission of the communication I / F 15 so that the setting information is transmitted to the PC 2. The setting change unit 75 performs a process of rewriting the setting information stored in the HDD 14 with the setting information changed by the PC 2.

  In the information processing system of such an embodiment, the PC application 36 of the PC 2 installs the MFP application 35 in the MFP 1. The MFP application 35 installed in the MFP 1 transmits setting information of the MFP 1 to the PC 1 in response to a request from the PC application 36. The PC application 36 changes the setting information acquired from the MFP 1 and sends it back to the MFP 1. The MFP application 35 stores and controls the setting information (changed setting information) returned from the PC application 36 in the HDD 14 of the main body 10 and reflects the setting information on the MFP 1.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow in which the PC application 36 installs the execution file of the MFP application 35 that the PC application 36 has as its own file in the MFP 1. When changing setting information of the MFP 1, the user activates the PC application 36 of the PC 2. In step S1, the CPU 51 of the PC 2 reads the PC application 36 from the HDD 54 and activates it.

  When the PC application 36 is activated, the user inputs an IP (Internet Protocol) address of the MFP 1 in which the MFP application 35 is installed. In step S2 of the flowchart of FIG. 6, the acquisition unit 63 of the PC application 36 illustrated in FIG. 4 acquires the IP address input by the user. In step S3, the installation control unit 62 installs the MFP application 35 stored in the HDD 54 in the MFP 1 corresponding to the IP address. The communication control unit 65 performs communication control corresponding to the installation operation of the MFP application 35 via the communication I / F 56. In this example, the operation of installing the MFP application 35 on one MFP 1 is described. However, the MFP application 35 may be installed on a plurality of MFPs 1 at a time.

  Next, the setting changing unit 75 of the MFP 1 shown in FIG. 5 returns a reply indicating that the installation is successful when the installation of the MFP application 35 is normally completed, and fails in the installation when the installation of the MFP application 35 fails. Is sent to the PC 2. In step S4, the acquisition unit 63 of the PC 2 determines whether or not a reply indicating successful installation has been received from the MFP 1.

  If the acquisition unit 63 of the PC 2 determines that a reply indicating successful installation has been received from the MFP 1 (step S4: Yes), the installation control unit 62 determines whether or not the monitor device connected to the PC 2 in step S6. Controls the display of a message indicating successful installation. On the other hand, when the acquisition unit 63 of the PC 2 determines that a reply indicating installation failure has been received from the MFP 1 (step S4: No), the installation control unit 62 is connected to the PC 2 in step S5. Controls the display of a message indicating that the installation has failed on the monitor device. When the installation of the MFP application 35 fails, the user tries to install the MFP application 35 again.

  If the installer software that installs the MFP application 35 from the PC 2 to the MFP 1 and the application on the PC 2 that cooperates with the MFP application 35 after installation are different, it takes time to manage each of them. Further, if the version of the MFP application 35 of the MFP 1 and the version of the PC application 36 on the cooperating PC 2 do not match, there is a possibility that a malfunction may occur.

  However, in the case of the information processing system of the embodiment, the execution file of the MFP application 35 that the PC application 36 has as its own file is installed in the MFP 1. Therefore, the MFP application 35 and the PC application 36 can be managed collectively. Further, since the versions of the MFP application 35 and the PC application 36 do not match, it is possible to prevent inconveniences that cause malfunctions.

  As described above, when the MFP application 35 is installed in the MFP 1, the user can change the setting of the MFP 1 to a desired setting via the PC 2. The flowchart of FIG. 7 shows the flow of the setting change operation of the MFP 1. When changing the setting of the MFP 1, the user activates the PC application 36 via the PC 2. When detecting the activation operation of the PC application 36, the CPU 51 of the PC 2 activates the PC application 36 from the HDD 54 in step S11.

  Next, the user performs an input operation of the IP address of the MFP 1 whose setting is to be changed. In step S12, the acquisition unit 63 of the PC application 36 acquires the IP address input by the user. In step S13, the acquisition unit 63 makes a setting information acquisition request to the MFP 1 corresponding to the acquired IP address. A communication control unit 65 controls communication between the PC 1 and the MFP 1.

  Next, in step S <b> 14, the setting change unit 75 illustrated in FIG. 5 acquires the setting information of the MFP 1 stored in the HDD 14. Then, the transmission control unit 74 transmits the acquired setting information to the PC 2. A display control unit 61 of the PC 2 shown in FIG. 4 displays a setting screen for each setting of the MFP 1 on a display unit such as a monitor device. The user changes desired setting information by operating an operation unit such as a keyboard device or a mouse device. The display control unit 61, which is an example of a changing unit, changes and displays the setting information displayed on the monitor device in response to a user's changing operation (step S16).

  Next, the user performs an input operation of the IP address of the MFP 1 that reflects the changed setting information. In step S17, the acquisition unit 63 acquires the IP address of the MFP 1 input by the user. Note that the user may input (designate) the IP addresses of a plurality of MFPs 1 instead of only one. In step S18, the setting unit 64 requests the MFP 1 corresponding to the IP address input by the user to write the changed setting information. The communication control unit 65 controls communication between the MFP 1 and the PC 2 corresponding to the changed setting information write request.

  Finally, in step S19, the widget setting unit 71 to the information setting unit 73 and the setting change unit 75 shown in FIG. 5 overwrite the setting information changed by the user on the HDD 14 of the MFP 1, over the original setting information. The process of the flowchart of FIG. 7 is completed. Thereby, the settings of one or a plurality of MFPs 1 can be collectively changed via the PC 2.

  The banner setting unit 72 performs message setting and banner display timing setting according to the setting information changed by the user. As the message setting, a direct input setting in which the user performs a text input operation of a desired message and a URL input setting in which a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a Web page in which the user's desired message is described can be input. ing. Further, it is possible to set an interval in which a message acquisition interval is a desired interval. The banner display timing can be selected and set, for example, at the start of copying, toner reduction, paper reduction, power-on, or a desired time.

  The banner setting unit 72 of the MFP 1 displays a message directly input by the user on the banner. Further, when a URL is designated by the user, the banner setting unit 72 accesses a Web page of the URL, acquires a message on the server device, and displays it on the operation panel 27. In this case, the message to be displayed can be managed by a server device on the network.

  The widget setting unit 71 additionally sets a message in the widget according to the setting information changed by the user. As message settings, a user performs a text input operation of a desired message, direct input setting for setting a desired image, and URL input for inputting a URL of a Web page on which a user's desired message or image is uploaded Setting is possible. Further, it is possible to set an interval in which a message acquisition interval is a desired interval. The message display timing can be selected and set, for example, at the start of copying, at the time of toner reduction, at the time of paper reduction, at power-on, or at a desired time.

  The widget setting unit 72 of the MFP 1 displays a message and / or an image directly input by the user on the widget. In addition, when a URL is specified by the user, the widget setting unit 72 accesses the Web page of the URL, acquires a message or image on the server device, and displays it on the operation panel 27. In this case, the message to be displayed can be managed by a server device on the network.

  The information setting unit 73 additionally sets the message of the administrator (dealer) of the MFP 1 according to the setting information changed by the user. As the message setting, a direct input setting in which a user performs a text input operation of a desired message and a URL input setting in which a URL of a Web page on which a user's desired message is uploaded can be input. Further, it is possible to set an interval in which a message acquisition interval is a desired interval. When the information setting unit 73 detects a contact operation of an icon for designating display of the dealer message displayed on the operation panel 27, the information setting unit 73 displays the dealer message set in advance as described above on the operation panel 27. Further, when a URL is designated by the user, the information setting unit 73 accesses the Web page of the URL, acquires a dealer message on the server device, and displays it on the operation panel 27. In this case, the dealer message to be displayed can be managed by the server device on the network.

  In the case of the setting for notifying the printing counter information of MFP 1 (an example of counter information indicating the number of times the device has been operated), the transmission control unit 74 sends the e-mail address or URL of the e-mail indicated by the setting information (or change information). For a destination such as (Uniform Resource Locator), an e-mail or the like is created with the specified subject and counter information described in the text or attached as attached information. The transmission control unit 74 controls transmission of the e-mail or the like at a designated transmission time. If transmission fails, the transmission control unit 74 performs transmission control so as to attempt retransmission of an e-mail or the like at a predetermined transmission interval if retry execution is set (transmission retry setting).

  As is clear from the above description, the information processing system of the embodiment changes the setting information acquired from the MFP 1 by the PC application 36 of the PC 2. The changed setting information is transmitted to one or a plurality of MFPs 1. Thus, even if the user does not move to the installation position of the MFP 1 and operate the MFP 1, the setting of the MFP 1 can be changed from a remote location. For this reason, the work time required for changing the setting of the MFP 1 can be further shortened. Also, the settings of the plurality of MFPs 1 can be collectively changed by transmitting the changed setting information from the PC 2 to the plurality of MFPs 1 at a time. For this reason, it is possible to change the settings of the plurality of MFPs 1 more efficiently.

  Further, an execution file of the MFP application 35 that the PC application 36 has as its own file is installed in the MFP 1. Therefore, the MFP application 35 and the PC application 36 can be managed collectively. Further, since the versions of the MFP application 35 and the PC application 36 do not match, it is possible to prevent inconveniences that cause malfunctions.

  Finally, the above-described embodiment has been presented as an example, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  For example, in the above description of the embodiment, the present invention is applied to the MFP 1 in which the operation unit 20 can be removed from or attached to the main body 10. Even if it exists, the same effect as the above-mentioned can be acquired.

  The MFP 1 in the embodiment is an example of a device to which the present invention is applied. Therefore, the present invention may be applied to any device that performs user authentication other than the MFP 1, such as a projector device, a video conference system, or a digital camera device.

  In the above-described embodiment, the execution file, the application file, and the like have been described. However, the file is only an example, and any file format that can be processed (implemented) in the present embodiment is not limited to a file format. Various data formats shall be included.

  Further, as the CPU 11, CPU 21, and CPU 51 described in this specification, a processor programmed to execute each function by software, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) designed to execute each function, IC ( Integrated circuit) or hardware such as a circuit module.

  Further, the embodiments and modifications of the embodiments are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

1 MFP (MFP)
2 Personal computer device (PC)
10 Body 11 CPU
12 ROM
13 RAM
14 HDD
15 Communication I / F
16 Connection I / F
17 Engine 18 Bus Line 19 FAX Modem 20 Operation Unit 21 CPU
22 ROM
23 RAM
24 Flash memory 25 Communication I / F
26 Connection I / F
27 Operation panel 28 Bus line 29 IC card I / F
30 communication path 35 MFP application 36 PC application 61 display control unit 62 installation control unit 63 acquisition unit 64 setting unit 65 communication control unit 71 widget setting unit 72 banner setting unit 73 information setting unit 74 transmission control unit 75 setting change unit

JP 2014-229169 A

Claims (20)

An acquisition unit for acquiring setting information for controlling the operation of the device;
A change unit that generates change information obtained by changing the acquired setting information;
An external device comprising: a setting unit configured to set the change information in the device. A storage unit that stores an application for at least obtaining the setting information and writing the change information for the device;
The external device according to claim 1, further comprising: an installation control unit configured to install the application on the device. The external device according to claim 2, wherein the installation control unit installs the execution file of the application in the application file of the external device in the device. A transmission control unit that acquires setting information for controlling operation from the setting storage unit and transmits the setting information to an external device;
In the external device, a change information acquisition unit that acquires change information transmitted by changing the setting information;
A setting change unit that rewrites the original setting information stored in the setting storage unit to the acquired change information. The device according to claim 4, wherein the transmission control unit, the change information acquisition unit, and the setting change unit are installed as an application from the external device to the device. The device according to claim 4, wherein the transmission control unit, the change information acquisition unit, and the setting change unit are executable files in the application file of the external device. The setting information includes setting information for displaying counter information indicating the number of operations of the device on the display unit when the user performs an operation, and setting information for setting the counter information to be transmitted to a predetermined destination. Including either
The transmission control unit transmits the counter information to the predetermined destination according to the setting information of the setting to be transmitted or the change information of the setting information of the setting to be transmitted. 6. The device according to any one of 6. When the transmission retry setting of the counter information and the transmission interval are set, the transmission control unit performs retransmission of the counter information at the transmission interval when the transmission of the counter information fails. 8. A device according to claim 7, characterized in that An information processing system comprising one or a plurality of devices that operate based on setting information that controls operations, and at least one external device that changes the setting information of the devices,
The external device is
An acquisition unit for acquiring the setting information of the device;
A change unit that generates change information obtained by changing the acquired setting information;
A setting unit configured to set the change information in the device,
The equipment is
A transmission control unit that acquires the setting information from a setting storage unit and transmits the setting information to the external device;
In the external device, a change information acquisition unit that acquires the change information;
An information processing system comprising: a setting change unit that rewrites the original setting information stored in the setting storage unit with the acquired change information. Computer
An acquisition unit for acquiring setting information for controlling the operation of the device;
A change unit that generates change information obtained by changing the acquired setting information;
An information processing program that functions as a setting unit that sets the change information in the device. The computer,
10. The device according to claim 9, further causing an application that performs at least acquisition of the setting information and writing of the change information to the device to function as an installation control unit that performs installation processing on the device. 10. The information processing program according to 10. The information processing program according to claim 11, wherein the installation control unit installs an execution file of the application in an application file of the external device in the device. Computer
A transmission control unit that acquires setting information for controlling operation from the setting storage unit and transmits the setting information to an external device;
In the external device, a change information acquisition unit that acquires change information transmitted by changing the setting information;
An information processing program that causes the original setting information stored in the setting storage unit to function as a setting change unit that rewrites the acquired change information. The information processing program according to claim 13, wherein the transmission control unit, the change information acquisition unit, and the setting change unit are installed as applications from the external device to the device. The information processing program according to claim 14, wherein the transmission control unit, the change information acquisition unit, and the setting change unit are executable files in the application file of the external device. The setting information includes setting information for displaying counter information indicating the number of operations of the device on the display unit when the user performs an operation, and setting information for setting the counter information to be transmitted to a predetermined destination. Including either
The transmission control unit transmits the counter information to the predetermined destination according to the setting information of the setting to be transmitted or the change information of the setting information of the setting to be transmitted. The information processing program according to any one of 15. When the transmission retry setting of the counter information and the transmission interval are set, the transmission control unit performs retransmission of the counter information at the transmission interval when the transmission of the counter information fails. The information processing program according to claim 16, which is characterized by: An acquisition step in which the acquisition unit acquires setting information for controlling the operation of the device;
A change step for generating change information in which the change unit has changed the acquired setting information; and
A device cooperation method, wherein the setting unit includes a setting step of setting the change information in the device. A transmission control step in which the transmission control unit acquires setting information for controlling operation from the setting storage unit and transmits the setting information to an external device;
A change information acquisition unit, in the external device, a change information acquisition step of acquiring change information transmitted by changing the setting information;
A setting change step in which a setting change unit rewrites the original setting information stored in the setting storage unit with the acquired change information. An information processing method for an information processing system comprising one or a plurality of devices that operate based on setting information for controlling operation, and at least one external device that changes the setting information of the devices,
An acquisition step in which the acquisition unit of the external device acquires the setting information of the device;
A change step in which the change unit of the external device generates change information obtained by changing the acquired setting information;
A setting step in which the setting unit of the external device sets the change information in the device;
A transmission control step in which the transmission control unit of the device acquires the setting information from a setting storage unit and transmits the setting information to the external device;
The change information acquisition unit of the device acquires the change information in the external device, the change information acquisition step,
An information processing method comprising: a setting change step in which the setting change unit of the device rewrites the original setting information stored in the setting storage unit with the acquired change information.

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